A remarkable page in the history of American conscientious objection is being written by citizens throughout the United States who are standing up and saying, “We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law.” These are not unemployed, bedraggled 20-somethings looking for a free pass on student loans and camping trips in downtown parks, nor are they unknowns with little influence. These citizens are Roman Catholic bishops throughout the United States. And in statement after statement issued in diocese after diocese, many bishops are publicly declaring that they “cannot” and “will …
Finally some good news coming out of Washington: “Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt today reintroduced legislation, the Boutique Fuel Reduction Act of 2009, to lower gas prices by simplifying our nation’s increasingly complex gasoline supply.” Boutique fuels are “specialized blends produced for a specific state or area of the country to meet state and local air quality requirements. These unique fuels present serious challenges to the fuel distribution system and, especially in times of disruption, may have the potential to result in local supply shortages.” Congressman Blunt remarked, “Current mandates …
